Scientists performed metabolic analyses on both stem cell-enriched and differentiated cells derived from individuals with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and they compared the signature of these cells with that of their normal counterparts. Through combination of stable isotope-assisted metabolomics with functional assays, they demonstrated that primitive CML cells rely on upregulated oxidative metabolism for their survival. [Nat Med]
Abstract

Researchers linked SOX9, a stem cell associated transcription factor, to the neoplastic-like properties of human lung epithelial cells chronically exposed to a low-dose of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). They found that SOX9 is upregulated in SWCNT-exposed cells, which is consistent with their abilities to induce tumor formation and metastasis in vivo. [Sci Rep]
Full Article

Cancer-associated fibroblasts can influence the actual level of autophagy in ovarian cancer cells through the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the release of autophagy-derived metabolites and substrates. Interrupting the metabolic cross-talk between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts could be an effective therapeutic strategy to arrest the progression and prevent the relapse of ovarian cancer. [Med Res Rev]
Abstract

Periostin plays a critical role in establishing and remodeling tumor microenvironments such as the metastatic niche, cancer stem cell niche, perivascular niche, pre-metastatic niche, fibrotic microenvironment and bone marrow microenvironment. The authors summarize the current knowledge of the multifaceted role of periostin in the tumor microenvironments. [Cell Mol Life Sci]
Abstract

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Amgen and Allergan plc. announced that the FDA has approved MVASI™ for all eligible indications of the reference product, Avastin®. MVASI is approved for the treatment of five types of cancer, including in combination with chemotherapy for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer, glioblastoma, metastatic renal cell carcinoma in combination with interferon alfa and in combination with chemotherapy for persistent, recurrent, or metastatic carcinoma of the cervix. [Amgen]
Press Release

The U.S. House of Representatives took a major step toward setting federal science budgets for the 2018 fiscal year. But Congress is still far from the finish line, and final spending levels aren’t likely to be finalized until late this year at the earliest. [ScienceInsider]
Editorial

A major scientific publishing group is taking aim at a social networking site for allowing researchers to illegally post copies of their journal papers. The International Association of Scientific, Technical, and Medical Publishers in Oxford, U.K., and The Hague, the Netherlands, has written to ResearchGate, a networking website for researchers, to express concerns over its article-sharing practices. [ScienceInsider]
Editorial